A fabric for use in chemical and biological (CB) protective garments includes at least one felt layer having from 25% to 100% carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers as a breathable physical barrier against toxic chemical droplets and/or pathogens. The felt layers are cleaned and consolidated into a mechanically competent sheet which can form adhesive seams having lapshear greater than the sheet itself. An additional supporting layer can be included. The supporting layer can be a wicking layer which is permeable with a chlorinated or otherwise chemically active solution to establish a reactive chemical barrier, the solution being dispensed on demand from a portable container. Embodiments include a second layer of CNT or of another backing fabric, sandwiching the wicking layer therebetween. Impermeable fluoropolymer seams can divide the fabric into a plurality of CNT/wicking cells. A layer of activated charcoal and/or halamine-forming hydantoin can be included for persistent reactive chemical protection.